News and Announcements

County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner Regains Full Accreditation

 County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner Regains Full Accreditation 940 788 County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner

January 28, 2026 – Full accreditation is restored to the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner (DME) from the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME), following nearly a decade under provisional accreditation.  The DME lost its full accreditation in 2016 due to changes in criteria needed to sustain the full accreditation, which was further affected by the pandemic as the case load increased and staffing shortages emerged.   The DME responded with smarter approaches, efficiencies and perseverance to meet…

Pilot Program Waiving Transportation, Storage Fees Becomes Permanent After Board Approval

 Pilot Program Waiving Transportation, Storage Fees Becomes Permanent After Board Approval 1024 768 County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner

  January 7, 2025 – The next of kin for decedents seen by the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner (DME) will not be charged transportation and storage fees the DME announced today after the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to permanently waive the $400 fees. “Charging families who lost…

New signage is displayed on the side of one of the department buildings with the new department name.

The Department of Medical Examiner Announces New Email Addresses, Website URL and Position Titles to Reflect New Department Name

 The Department of Medical Examiner Announces New Email Addresses, Website URL and Position Titles to Reflect New Department Name 1024 610 County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner

  February 29, 2024 – The Department of Medical Examiner (DME) is pleased to announce the official completion of the transition to the new department name, with the deployment of the new department website URL, department email addresses, and position titles. The removal of “coroner” was needed to reinforce the Department’s role as an independent investigative…

Department of Medical Examiner Discovers Pattern of Unhoused Targeted in Murder Cases

 Department of Medical Examiner Discovers Pattern of Unhoused Targeted in Murder Cases 972 682 County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner

  December 6, 2023 – On Thursday, Nov. 30, medical examiners at the Department of Medical Examiner (DME) noticed a trend of recent cases in which unhoused individuals sleeping on the sidewalk were approached and shot. All three deaths were under the jurisdiction of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) but involved two separate homicide…

New Name, Same Great Service: County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner Drops “Coroner” from Official Name; Department Seal, Position Titles Updated

 New Name, Same Great Service: County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner Drops “Coroner” from Official Name; Department Seal, Position Titles Updated 940 788 County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner

  June 28, 2023 – The County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner will now be called the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner (Department) after the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors (Board) yesterday voted to approve the ordinance for the official name change.   The removal of “coroner” was needed to reinforce…

Dr. Odey C. Ukpo Appointed as Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner

 Dr. Odey C. Ukpo Appointed as Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner 1024 577 County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner

Dr. Odey C. Ukpo Appointed as Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner On March 7, 2023, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors appointed Dr. Odey C. Ukpo as Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner to lead one of the most prominent medical examiner’s offices in the nation. Dr. Ukpo is the first African American to serve as Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner…

A sign at the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner.

Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner Releases Statement Underscoring Independent Approach to Death Investigations

 Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner Releases Statement Underscoring Independent Approach to Death Investigations 1024 682 County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner

(en Español) March 1, 2023 – The County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner released the following statement in response to assertions made based on a new report by UCLA’s Biocritical Studies Lab:  While the Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner (DMEC) appreciates efforts to bring attention to the important topic of in-custody deaths, our department…

DMEC Forensic Pathology Fellowship Presentation at USCAP Annual Conference

 DMEC Forensic Pathology Fellowship Presentation at USCAP Annual Conference 1024 731 County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner

March 15, 2022 - The Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner will be hosting a table at the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology’s (USCAP) annual conference to promote it's Forensic Pathology Fellowship.

The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner entrance.

The Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner reopens facility to the public

 The Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner reopens facility to the public 1024 682 County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner

Oct. 1, 2021 - Due to the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department is enforcing strict health protocols to maintain staff and visitor safety.

Information for COVID-19 Funeral Assistance

 Information for COVID-19 Funeral Assistance 1024 577 County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner

April 27, 2021 - FEMA is providing financial assistance for COVID-19 related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020.

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